Q1. Consider the following statements regarding UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB):
- UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB) is an Intergovernmental Programme that aims to establish a scientific basis for the improvement of relationships between people and their environments.
- Under this, Protection is granted to the flora and fauna of the protected region and also to the human communities who inhabit these regions.
- Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve is the first of India’s reserves to make it to UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Ans: (b)
Explanation:
UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB):
- The idea of the biosphere reserve was initiated by UNESCO in 1974 under the MAB with the objective of obtaining international cooperation for the conservation of the biospheres.
- Launched in 1971, UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB) is an Intergovernmental Scientific Programme that aims to establish a scientific basis for the improvement of relationships between people and their environments.
- MAB combines the natural and social sciences, economics and education to improve human livelihoods and the equitable sharing of benefits, and to safeguard natural and managed ecosystems.
- Under this, Protection is granted not only to the flora and fauna of the protected region, but also to the human communities who inhabit these regions, and their ways of life.
- The first of India’s reserves to make it to UNESCO’s list was Tamil Nadu’s Niligiri Biosphere Reserve in 2000.
Q2. Consider the following statements:
- Biodiversity hotspots are located only in tropical regions.
- India has four biodiversity hotspots i.e. Eastern Himalayas, Western Himalayas, Western Ghats and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: (d)
Explanation:
- A biodiversity hotspot is a biogeographic region with significant levels of biodiversity that is threatened by human habitation.
- To qualify as a biodiversity hotspot, a region must meet two strict criteria:
- It must have at least 1,500 vascular plants as endemics— which is to say, it must have a high percentage of plant life found nowhere else on the planet. A hotspot, in other words, is irreplaceable.
- It must have 30% or less of its original natural vegetation. In other words, it must be threatened.
- Around the world, 36 areas qualify as hotspots.
- India hosts 4 biodiversity hotspots: the Himalayas, the Western Ghats, the Indo-Burma region and the Sundaland (Includes Nicobar group of Islands).
Q3. What is “White Hydrogen”?
(a) Hydrogen gas that is produced from the electrolysis of water.
(b) A form of hydrogen gas that is used as rocket fuel.
(c) Hydrogen gas obtained from the steam methane reforming process.
(d) Hydrogen gas produced using renewable energy sources, such as wind or solar power.
Ans: (d)
Explanation:
- Context: Two scientists in northeastern France discovered a substantial deposit of “white hydrogen,“ considered one of the largest concentrations of this clean energy source ever found.
- What is White Hydrogen?
- White hydrogen is a clean-burning energy source found naturally in the Earth’s crust. It is Natural hydrogen and is found as naturally occurring molecular hydrogen on or on Earth. The name white hydrogen distinguishes it from green hydrogen (produced from renewable energy sources from the electrolysis of water), and from grey, brown or black hydrogen, (which is obtained from fossil sources)
Q4. Consider the following statements:
- National Efficient Cooking Programme” (NECP) is a subset of the Clean Cooking Scheme.
- NECP focuses on Non-Solar/Electricity-based Induction Cookstoves, aligning with the Go- electric initiative by the NITI Aayog.
- Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), operating under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, is a leading Energy Service Company.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Ans: (a)
Explanation:
- Only statement1 is correct.
- “National Efficient Cooking Programme” (NECP) is a subset of the Clean Cooking Scheme. NECP focuses on Non-Solar/Electricity-based Induction Cookstoves, aligning with the Go- electric initiative by the Ministry of Power.
- Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), operating under the Ministry of Power, is a leading Energy Service Company. Their portfolio encompasses energy-efficient products like LED bulbs, tube lights, fans, air conditioners, streetlights, and electric vehicles. EESL’s transparent procurement processes, overseen by CVC, have enabled them to distribute millions of these products, resulting in substantial energy savings, reduced peak demand, and greenhouse gas emissions.
Q5. Adaptation Gap Report 2023 released by the:
(a) WEF
(b) UNEP
(c) IPCC
(d) IUCN
Ans: (b)
Explanation:
- Context: Adaptation Gap Report 2023 released by the United Nations Environment Programme
- What is an Adaptation Gap?
- The Adaptation Gap is the difference between the funds needed to adapt to climate change in countries (generally developing and least developed countries) and the actual financial support received. For instance, developing countries require $215-387 billion annually for climate adaptation, but they are only receiving about $21 billion.
